Don Samuels

Don Samuels (born 1948/1949)[1] is an American politician and activist, who served as a member of the Minneapolis City Council from 2003 to 2014. A member of the Democratic Party, Samuels came to national attention as a candidate for the DFL nomination for Minnesota's 5th congressional district, for which he placed an unexpectedly close second to incumbent Ilhan Omar in the 2022 primary.

Don Samuels
Member of the Minneapolis City Council
In office
February 14, 2003 – January 6, 2014
Preceded byJoe Biernat
Succeeded byBlong Yang
Constituency3rd ward (2003–2006)
5th ward (2006–2014)
Personal details
Born1948 or 1949 (age 74)
Jamaica
Political partyDemocratic
EducationPratt Institute (BS)
Luther Seminary (MDiv)

Career

Minneapolis City Council (2003–2014)

Samuels was elected to represent Ward 3 on the Minneapolis City Council in a special election in 2003, completing the final three years of Joe Biernat's term.[2] Samuels defeated the DFL-endorsed candidate and was sworn in on February 14, 2003.[1][2] A 2005 redistricting led to Samuels' home becoming part of the city's Ward 5.[3]

In 2007, Samuels declared, "I've said burn North High School down!", referring to North Community High School. His comments drew criticism from Nick Coleman and others.[4] Samuels argued his comments were trying to raise issues about under-education of black youth by Minneapolis Public Schools.[5]

Samuels briefly campaigned for Hennepin County commissioner in 2012.[6] Samuels supported public financing for the new Minnesota Vikings stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium.[7]

When Samuels ran for mayor in 2013 as a Democrat he drew donations and support from several Republican politicians despite there still being an endorsed Republican candidate for mayor.[8] Samuels did not run for reelection as city council member, so he could run for mayor.[9] In the election Samuels performed strongest in his north Minneapolis Ward 5 where he outpolled all other candidates including eventual winner Betsy Hodges.[10] Samuels's term ended January 6, 2014, when his successor Blong Yang was sworn into office.

Post-Council political career

Samuels was elected to serve Minneapolis Public Schools school board in 2014 as an at-large representative.[11] He served for one term, from January 13, 2015, until January 15, 2019.[12][13][14][15] While he was campaigning for school board, Samuels called the police on a hot dog giveaway led by Neighborhoods Organizing for Change which was conducting a get out the vote event.[16]

Samuels was among several Minneapolis residents who sued the Minneapolis City Council and mayor, Jacob Frey, in 2020, alleging they did not hire enough police officers as required by city charter.[17] In 2021, a public safety charter amendment was presented to Minneapolis voters. Samuels was active in the successful campaign to defeat the amendment.[18]

2022 congressional campaign

Samuels launched a DFL primary challenge for Minnesota's 5th congressional district against Ilhan Omar in March 2022. Samuels was endorsed by former Chief of the Minneapolis Police Department, Medaria Arradondo.[18] According to campaign finance records, Samuels outraised Omar in the second quarter of 2022.[19] [20] Samuels was defeated by Omar in the primary on August 9, 2022, though he came in a very close second by 2.1% and less than 2,500 votes.

Personal life

Samuels moved to the United States at the age of 20 after growing up in Jamaica. Prior to being involved in politics, he worked as a toy designer. In 2005, Samuels commented that his family was descended from house slaves rather than field slaves.[1] Samuels lives in north Minneapolis.[13] Samuels and his wife, Sondra Samuels, took a group of neighbor kids to Boom Island Park in 2020. While at the park the kids waded into the water and one child was swept away and drowned. Sondra Samuels's insurance company paid out a wrongful death settlement of $301,000 as part of the child's death.[21] After being criticized for his role in the child's death, Don Samuels tweeted "can't swim but can govern.", a tweet he later deleted and apologized for.[22][23]

References
  1. Gilbert, Curtis (October 23, 2013). "Minneapolis mayoral candidate bio: Don Samuels". MPR News. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  2. Olson, Rochelle (February 15, 2003). "Samuels joins City Council". Star Tribune. p. B3. Retrieved August 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Brandt, Steve (November 16, 2003). "When Samuels hits streets, it's personal". Star Tribune. pp. B1, B9. Retrieved August 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "The media firestorm over Don Samuels' comments". MPR News. February 7, 2007. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  5. Williams, Brandt (April 23, 2007). "A visit to Minneapolis North High School". MPR News. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  6. Gilbert, Curtis (December 28, 2012). "Don Samuels mulls mayoral bid". MPR News. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  7. Rao, Maya (March 20, 2013). "Minneapolis DFL endorsement could prove pivotal in big election year". Star Tribune. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  8. Gilbert, Curtis (September 10, 2013). "Don Samuels' mayoral campaign attracts Republican money". MPR News. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  9. Collins, Jon (November 4, 2013). "In Minneapolis, four candidates seeking to replace councilman Don Samuels". MPR News. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  10. Kaul, Greta (3 August 2017). "Where the votes that elect Minneapolis and St. Paul mayors come from". MinnPost. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  11. Hawkins, Beth (5 November 2014). "In the end, frontrunners benefited from record spending in MPS board race". MinnPost. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  12. Mahamud, Faiza (February 14, 2018). "Don Samuels won't seek reelection to Minneapolis school board". Star Tribune. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  13. Hackett, Ashley (11 March 2022). "Why Don Samuels decided to run against Ilhan Omar". MinnPost. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  14. "Regular and Annual School District No. 1 Regular Meeting: Minutes". Minneapolis Public Schools. January 13, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  15. "Special School District No. 1 Annual Regular Meeting: Minutes". Minneapolis Public Schools. January 15, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  16. Lahm, Sarah (October 17, 2014). "Don Samuels calls cops over hotdog giveaway". Twin Cities Daily Planet. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  17. Sepic, Matt (March 14, 2022). "Appeals court overturns Minneapolis minimum policing ruling". MPR News. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  18. Zdechlik, Mark (March 9, 2022). "Samuels to challenge Omar in DFL primary". MPR News. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  19. Radelat, Ana; Kaul, Greta (19 July 2022). "Big money once again pours into House races in Minnesota". MinnPost. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  20. Roper, Eric (December 11, 2013). "Council to ponder reimbursing Samuels after FBI inquiry finds no wrongdoing". Star Tribune. p. B5. Retrieved August 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. Dernbach, Becky Z. (28 September 2021). "Minneapolis nonprofit leader reaches wrongful death settlement in drowning of 6-year-old boy". Sahan Journal. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  22. McLaughlin, Shaymus (March 15, 2022). "Don Samuels deletes tweet making light of child's drowning". Bring Me The News. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  23. Faircloth, Ryan (August 6, 2022). "Policing, abortion at forefront of primary race between Rep. Ilhan Omar and Don Samuels". Star Tribune. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
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